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( 




POLICIES AND ATTITUDES OF MANAGEMENT AND LABOR ORGANIZATIONS 


1. An analysis of the policies and attitudes of the 
CIO, A.F. of L., and United Mine Workers as disclosed 
by their annual convention. 

2. An analysis of the policies of the personnel managers 

of large manufacturing plants as disclosed by discussion 
at the session of a conference of the American Management 
Association. 


Groups and Organizations Section 
Special Services Division 
Bureau of Intelligence 


OFFICE OF WAR INFORMATION 

t * 




December 24 > 1942 




I 



♦ 



'tVftf - 2 . . Gw 5 


tabes 0? contents 


Sms 


LABOR 


UNITED MINE WORKERS 1942 CONTENTION 

(6-13 OCTOBER 1942) 1 

AMERICAN FEDERATION 01 LABOR CONVENTION 


(5-14 OCTOBER 1942) 17 

CONGRESS ON INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATIONS CONVENTION 

(9-13 NOVEMBER 1942) 26 

ANALYSIS ON AFL-CIO AREAS OF AGREEMENT 

AS DETERMINED FROM THEIR 1942 CONVENTION STATEMENTS 46 


BUSINESS 


AMERICAN MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION PRODUCTION CONFERENCE 
(10-11 NOVEMBER 1942) 


49 






























-- 






i&ias. 


4 


4 


SUMMARY 07 THS) UK I ISP MIWB WORKERS Off AMERICA 
COOTBKTION H&LD 6 TO 13 OCTOBER 1948 AT CINOIKHATI. 

OHIO 

SUMMARY: 

| 

1* John L. Lewis has completed the break with the CIO which began when 
Lewis retired from the presidency of CIO# The recent UMWA convention com** 
pleted the job by completely withdrawing from CIO# The UMWA is now an inde- 
pendent union# Present indications are that the UMWA will remain independent 
and, through District 50, begin an organizing drive to create a new indepen¬ 
dent rival to both APL and CIO# 

2# The unwilling withdrawal of key UMWA officials like Philip Murray, 
Clint Oolden, and Van Bittner into the newly-created United Steel Workers of 
America (formerly SWOC) made it possible for Lewis to clinch his control over 

UMWA and lead it out of CIO# During the spring of 1942, when the Lewis- 

Murray fight became bitter, Murray was preoccupied with Little Steel negotia** 
tions, internal political struggles with the left-wingers in CIO, and Murray* s 
fight for complete control of the USWA-CIO# The UMWA membership was not 
sufficiently educated by the Murray group during this period to ensure a good 
fight with Lewis. Lewis won because (a) Murray forces were unable to rally 
their strength, and (b) Lewis, as President of the UMWA, was in a better stra¬ 
tegic position than Murray# 

3. The UMWA top leadership is marking time at the present# There have 
been a few outbreaks of open warfare with CIO, but on the whole the Lewis 

forces are quiet# Many UMWA leaders feel that they cannot do much in the way 







* 





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of expansion and feel content, as one put it, to B enjoy the security of the 
UMWA and confine activities for the present to servicing workers now organ¬ 
ized by UMWA and District 50. H 

4* If the UMWA, with its tremendous financial resources, does initiate 
a vast organizing drive, it is difficult to see how they can achieve any great 
measure of success in organizing unorganized workers. 

(A) Lewis no longer has the active political support of the Adminis¬ 
tration, nor does he have appreciable entree to any of the government agencies 
which could help him in an organizing drive of the scale of the 1936^193? 
drive* 

(B) Lewis no longer has the active cooperation and support of such 
brilliant strategists and organizers as Walter Heuther, Sidney Hillman, 

Emil Sieve, Jim Carey, or other forces such as the Communist Party which, in 
1936, placed at Lewis 1 disposal a large number of organizers from the disbanded 
TUUL ((Trade Union Unity League)* 

(C) Lewis* present staff consists of such second-rate organizers as 
Jim Robb, Ora Gassaway, the Thomason Boys, and Mike Widman— all old miners* He 
has picked up a few organisers from CIO and from UAW-CIO, but they are all 
second-rate men* 

(D) Lewis himself is much older in many ways than he was in 1935* 

Lewis is now 63 years of age, has lest his wife, and suffers from a bad cardiac 
condition* Recent statements have been both bitter and negative* His speeches 
to the recent UMWA Convention dwell constantly in the past--the 50 years history 
of the UMWA, Lewis* achievements in founding the CIO, and so forth. All give 
indications of a man who not only lives in the past, but a man who is losing his 




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ability to prosecute a constructive organizing program with the drive and 
steam which was characteristic of the John L. Lewis of 1935. 

(S) The historical setting which made the CIO possible was the genera¬ 
tion of a semi—religious crusade which swept the mass production workers of the 
heavy industries. Wages were low, working conditions were harsh. Lewis rode 
the wave of that crusade and was able to symbolize the struggle of the common 
man for a new deal in industry. Those conditions no longer obtain, at least not 
with the dynamic potency which existed in the 1935-1937 period. The only 
apparent issues raised by Lewis lately consist of (a) anti-Semitism, (b) anti¬ 
communism, (c) anti-inflation, and (d) anti-administration. These conditions 
may change, but at this writing it is most difficult to look forward to any 
major advances by Lewis in the announced drive to M organize the unorganized 
farmers and workers. 15 

5. The possibility of CIO- API unity in an organic sense is improved with 
the departure of Lewis from CIO ranks. Both Murray and Green, in recent state¬ 
ments, have indicated an increasing desire for peace* Lewis* apparent policy of 
going—and remaining—independent should make this unity possible, although the 
left-wingers inside CIO may try to block this. The CIO is not in a very good 

financial position, for one thing, and unity would serve to bolster up the CIO 

. 

position. Both Green and Murray strongly desire unity for political reasons. 

6. At the UMWA Convention John L. Lewis definitely went on the record 
renouncing his pre-Pearl Harbour stand on the world situation. He defended his 
position, hut declared that since Pearl Harbour he is in full support of the war 
effort. The UMWA went on record with a series of statements on the war, urging 
full support of the war effort, endorsing union-management production committees. 





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and giving full support to all of the United Nations* The convention urged 
freedom for India after the war* The convention passed no resolutions on the 
opening of a second front in Western Europe* 

7. By taking the position described in (6) Lewis is able to merit support 
from the miners, who are essentially in support of the war effort* At the same 
time, he is on record as having been opposed to the war. Should the war end 
within the next year or two, Lewis will then be in an excellent position, being 

able then to say, #1 told you so.” It is entirely possible that would enable 

/ 

him to ride a possible post-war crest of isolationist sentiment and, indeed, 
assume leadership of a native fascist movement. Many in CIO fear that is what he 
is waiting for* 

* * * 


UMWA AND WAR 

Both John L. Lewis and the assembled Convention went on record in full 
support of the war effort of the United States of America and its Allies. 

In the Officers* Report, Lewis says: H We are proud of the role being 
played by the officers and members of the United Mine Workers of America in the 
present war.” Pointing out that ”From Pearl Harbour on, your officers have 
cooperated wholeheartedly with officials of our government in order that we might 
lend our maximum assistance in the prosecution of the nation*s war effort,” Lewis 
pointed out that the Victory Production Committees set up ll at every mine in the 
country 4 * have B shattered” all previous coal production records* 


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Reporting to the Convention, Lewis said that the UMWA gave 70,000 to the 
Armed Forces in World War I, and pointed out that already 61,202 UMWA men are 
in the armed forces of the USA. Lewis reported that 442 have been killed in 
action or are missing. Canadian UMWA members, numbering 7,308, are in the 
Canadian armed forces. Lewis also pointed out that the UMWA, its branches, in¬ 
dividual members, and officers have purchased a total of $35,182,566 in U. S. 

War Bonds, and have contributed $269,000 to USO, $480,000 to the Red Cross, and 
$34,000 to the Navy Relief, as well as $45,000 to the Army Relief. 

Although supporting the war effort, Lewis observes 11 That record does not 
mean that the UMWA believes in war... The record on that question is to the con¬ 
trary. .. It is known that for some years past I have urged non-participation in 
foreign wars if that could be avoided. • .until the time came when it was evident 
that a war could not be avoided*..(then)...I abandoned every other consideration 
and stated purposely and acted accordingly, in support of our government, of our 
institutions, of our policies, of the integrity of our nation and the well-being, 
not alone of the members of the UMWA, but the well-being of every American.** 

The Officers 1 Report declares: 11 The war must be won by America and won at 
any cost. No sacrifice is too great... We are Americans, first, last, and 
always...* 1 

The Resolutions* Committee offered a War Report, adopted unanimously by the 
Convention, which reviewed the production record of the UMWA and noted the number 
of UMWA men in the armed forces. It also declared: 

M We are in hearty accord with the all-out support of our Allies—-the British, 
the Russians, the Chinese, and all other countries who are fighting with us. We 
dedicate our services and our lives, to make our Country an Arsenal of Democracy. 


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H We declare in favor of joint action by miners and mine management in the 
creation of Victory Production Boards* 

M We further declare and pledge all of our creative power to support our 
armed forces and the will to carry on so that the country we love will survive 
and the free institutions we cherish will endure* 

tt We pledge that when this conflict ends with victory for freedom, all of 
the sacrifices will not have been in vain. We will strive for a permanent peace 
with honor, justice, and freedom from fear prevailing in our land and throughout 
the world*.** 

LEWIS ATO POST WAR PERIOD 

Lewis opened the Officers 1 Report with a lengthy account of the Bituminous 
Wage negotiations, during which he makes the following pessimistic observations 
on th 9 post-war period: 

*Whenever truce, stalemate, or victory finflly comes, there is every like¬ 
lihood that there will be quite a different economic aftermath to that which 
followed in the wake of the World War... Instead of the U. S. replenishing the 
world with mass production equipment and other goods and services, which served 
as a cushion 22 years ago, we will likely find ourselves confronted with the 
most serious and distorted economy in our history. Our problems will be just as 
grave as those of Europe and Asia, using the American standard of living as a 
yardstick**. From extravagance, waste, guns, ships, cantonments, political debate, 
and marching men, we shall return to the economic axis of the consumers® ability 
to buy in sufficient volume to keep the wheels of industry turning* M 


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UMWA AHL WLB WAGE POLICY 


In discussing the War Labor Board and the Little Steel wage decision, the 
Officers* Report declares: 

M It is clearly apparent that the WLB cannot hope to he effective in a war 
emergency if it bases its procedure and decisions upon such arbitrary formulae 
developed in the Little Steel case, and, at the same time, neglects real con* 
si deration of the fundamental standards and principles which are essential to 
maximum war production*.. With all its defects, however, the fact remains that 
it is the only real important Board that has actual real bona fide represents^ 
tion of Labor sitting in its councils with equal voice and vote with Industry 
and the Public. w 

UMWA AND CIO 

The Officers* Report to the Convention includes a discussion of the events 
leading up to the quarrel with CIO. The discussion revolves around the theme 
that: H It is, of course, universally recognized that the CIO could not have 
been organized and continued on a functioning basis without this support. 11 (UMWA) 

Claiming that the UMWA had financially aided CIO to the extent of 
$7,250,000 the Report claims that of this, $1,685,000 was in the form of negoti- 
ated loans from CIO. Says the Officers* Report* 11 The Officers of your Union 
made no formal demand upon the CIO for repayment of thi3 loan. In February, 1942, 
the Secretary**Treasurer of the UMWA requested the Comptroller of the CIO to credit 
the UMWA with payment of two months* tax, amounting to $60,000, and deduct this 
item from our loan account. The Officers of the CIO refused this request and 

disavowed their obligations to the UMWA. In ccnsequence, si:ice that time, your 




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officers have made no further payment of per capita tax to the CIO until such 
time as a report could he made to this Convention.. 

One of the opening speeches of the Convention, made hy Chairman 
John Owens, President of District 6 UMWA, pointed out that Steel, Auto, Rubber, 
and the other major basic industries were oi'ganized by John L. Lewis, 
described by Owens as a M genius 1 *. 

In reply to this speech of Owens, Lewis spoke at length, repeating: It 

is true that had there been no UMWA there would not now be any CIO. Perhaps 
the child has become greater than the parent; perhaps the pupil has become 
wiser than the master, but the convention will decide.,. w 

The debate on the break with CIO took up considerable time, during which 
Lewis made a speech in which he promised 11 1 will try to be as brief and 
restrained as possible. 51 Reviewing the history of the growth of CIO, Lewis 
developed the theme of the unpaid debt, dwelling at length on his great contri¬ 
bution in organizing auto, coal, steel, and so forth. He declared: ”1 made no 
criticism of any leadership of the CIO or of anybody holding political office 
in America during the year 1941, and in 1942. I made no speeches until yesterday, 
because I had a cross to bear . •. 

»I 5 too, want unity in the American labor movement, 11 he continued. H The 
first job American labor had was to organize the unorganized on a broader basis. 

And your union has done that job,., 

55 The next job facing American labor is the job of establishing unified 
leadership.• • Someone says: *?thy take this action now to invoke a war in the 

house of labor? 1 And the organizers of your enemies are invading your local 
unions asking you to depart from the principles of your organization and asking 
you to join in their common denunciation of your leaders and its policies,,« 







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H I am not running for any public office in this country**. I aspire to no 
office in public life* I am not a politician*. * i} Lewis told the Convention# 
Following his speech on breaking with CIO, the convention took a vote* The 

number of votes for a break with CIO was 2*867; 5 votes were against the break* 

# 

PHILIP MURRAY 

Philip Murray, Vice-President of the UMWA for two decades, was ousted 
last Spring from his UMWA position by Lewis after Murray had been elected 
President of the newly-named United Steel Workers of America, CIO (USWA^CIO)* 

The Officers* Report states: 11 In May* 1942* the Vice President of the Inters 

national Union accepted an elective office with another union. This action* of 

* 

course, was in violation of definite provisions of the Constitutions of this 
Organization, and the Intex*national Executive Board* with the International 
Policy Corranittee concurring* declared the office vacant* 11 

A Mr* John 0 1 Leary* previously a member of the International Executive Board 
from District 5* was designated to fill the place of Philip Murray* 

During the Convention a resolution was offered extending to Murray coi>* 
tinned membership in the UMWA* Lewis ruled this out of order* declaring that 
although Murray had been relieved of his official duties with the UMWA* he was 
still a member in good standing* 

PAT FAGAN 

j>. T. Pagan, President of UMWA District 6, UMWA, is from Phil Murray's home 
district. A stanch supporter of Murrey, Pagan is also President of the CIO Steel 
City Industrial Union Council. 




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Nine resolutions from District 5 were presented to the convention witli 
reference to the conduct of Fagan. The convention referred the matter to the 
International Executive Board. This undoubtedly is Lewis' method of intimi¬ 
dating the last District President who has refused to take orders from the 

i 

Lewis machine. If Fagan resigns from his CIO duties and goes along with LewiB, 
k® *3.11 probably get a clean bill of health from the International Executive 
Board investigation. If he maintains CIO connections, he will undoubtedly be 
kicked out of District 5 and the UMWA. 

DISTRICT 50 

The UMWA Constitution was so altered that through District 50 the UMWA can 
organize any type of worker or any industry as the international Executive Board 
sees fit. 

% 

In the Officers* Report it says; H Thic Convention marks the sixth 
anniversary of District 50 of the UMWA# It is gratifying to report the substan^ 
tial and exceptional gains of this great subdivision of the UMWA*,* 51 

Lewis, in his opening speech to the Convention, noted that H A day will come 
when every pound of black powder and every pound of permissible explosives and 
every pound of dynamite used in the coal industry.#, will be made and manufactured 
under union conditions by the UMWA membership### And with us today, for the first 
time in the history of the organization, representing the dairy farmers* division 
and delegates to District No. 50 convention, are actual working, bona fide dairy 
farmers, sitting in a convention of coal miners and proud of the opportunity to be 
part of our great organization##.* 1 





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The Committee on Officers* Reports, commenting on Lewis* report on 
District 50, stated* 11 Your committee encourages the extension of said organic 
zational activities, so that the full “benefits of collective bargaining may be 
extended to all the dairy farmers throughout the nation, and to all workers in 
any industry px^operly coming within the .jurisdiction of the district. 1 * 

This report was unanimously adopted. 

Later, the Constitution of the UMWA was unanimously changed on the question 
of jurisdiction to read as follows: M To unite in one organization...all workers 
eligible for membership employed in and around coal mines, coal washeries, coal 
processing plants, coke ovens, and in such other industries as may be designated 
and approved by the International Executive Board* on the American continent. .. M 

Thus, with limitation to continental North America, the UMWA may at its own 
pleasure consider the organization of n any industry. 11 

In this relation, Lewis in a pre-convention statement called for a vast 
organizing drive, mentioning the organization of 50,000 supervisors, foremen, and 
minor bosses in the coal industry. He also mentioned the possible organization 
of 20,000 chemical workers in West Virginia. 

wThere are millions of workers yet to be organized, 51 Lewis declared. 

H Workers and farmers are clamoring for organization. 55 

District 50, as now constituted, is ready to organize anyone from a grave 

digger to an airplane mechanic. 

AUTONOMY 

The question of the autonomy of the UMWA Districts rocked the convention for 
a full day, and only the oratory and persuasion of President Lewis and Secretary 
Kennedy kept the delegates from voting themselves »*too much** democracy. 










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5?he majority of Districts in the UMWA are under the control of the 

President of the UMWA because although the membership elects the minor officers 

of each district, lewis himself appoints the President and Secretary of the 
Districts* 

Delegate after delegate hit the convention floor to point out that we have 
a democratic nation, that we are fighting for democracy, and therefore H we 
should also have democracy in (our) union*• * 

Another delegate was reported to have said that 11 in his opinion the rank 
and file should have the right of deciding whether there should he autonomy or 
not and concluded by stating that taxation without representation was no good, 
and that the rank and file wanted unity but they also wanted justice* *.” 

After the rank and file of the convention had spoken, Secretary 
(Thomas Kennedy addressed the convention at length, pointing out that the UMWA 
was extremely democratic* Kennedy pointed out that things were very good, in-* 
asrauch as Lewis only appointed the presidents and secretaries of the districts* 
Brushing aside all arguments on democracy and fair play, Kennedy said that the 
question was a “straight business proposition” that the districts lacked autonomy 
“for their own good.” 

John L* Lewis finally made a lengthy speech in which he said on the question 
of autonomy: H It is a purely business proposition. It runs to the question of 
the efficiency of your union. You will decide what kind of a union you want, a 
well officered union, with efficient administration of the financial and business 
affairs of the organization, or a union with some inexperienced officers who too 
often are not capable of running a business institution, such as a great district 
of the UMWA with membership from a few thousand to perhaps exceeding 50,000* 







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“The UMWA has become a business institution* It had to in order to survive* 

Lewis charged that Murray and other CIO leaders were using the autonomy 

« 

issue to split the miners from Lewis. He also said that the Communist Party 
was on the side of those who wanted more democracy, hinting that those who 
wanted more democracy were either (a) Phil Murray stooges; or (b) Communists# 
Lewis then reviewed the harrowing details of districts which had had 
autonomy, telling the delegates how various elected officers had wasted funds 
and, incidentally, thought for themselves* Lewis wound up with the plea; “Give 
me a chance to work for the logical objectives of this organization..* I want 
able men to assist me... These district presidents are in reality my economic 
cabinet. I have to rely on the presidents of those districts to stand up in 
conferences.•• These men constitute toy economic cabinet in this organization. 
Talk about democracy I Has anybody suggested the cabinet of the President of the 
United States should be elected?... We have to trust the President to select 
competent men as his advisors to run his great department of government; we have 
to trust him; that is business. Democracy cannot run wild. 

Further debate was closed, the vote was taken, and Le^is won h^s point. 

yiHAHcas 

The Officers* Beport indicated that as of June 1, 1342, the balance on hand 
in Mi treasury was $6,346,852.46. This figure does not include the value of 
property in Washington, D. C., nor does it include Canadian bonds and other bonds 

the value of which is $60,000. 

On the 25th of June, 1941, the International Executive Board of UMWA had 
voted a special assessment of 50j# per member per month to build up a "war chest" 

for emergencies. The item was described in the Officers' Report as a "defense 
fund that will meet the needs of any situation." 






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The question of making the 50# item permanent came up at the Convention in 
the form of a reconniendation that the $1*00 dues he increased to $1*50 monthly, 
with no more assessments (without a membership referendum)* The convention voted 
8 to 1 to increase dues to $1*50* This increase of 50# per member per month in** 
creases UMWA annual income by $2,400,000* Of the 50# increase, 40# goes to the 
International Office. 

Of the $1*50 dues, 90# goes to lewis, 30# to the District, and 30# to the 
local union. 

LABOR PEACE 

John L* Lewis declared that when the AFL and CIO are ready, he would be glad 
tc discuss peace with them. 


EXTRUSION OF WORK WEEK 

i 

Regarding the extension of the work-week from five to six days, the request 
of Secretary Harold Ickes for a si)s-*day week received the consideration of the 
Convention, which finally voted to accept the Ickes proposal, although Lewis at 
first opposed it on the grounds that it was unnecessary. 

MUTE IHSESCTIOH 

Commenting on Federal coal mine inspection, the Officers® Report notes that 
Congressional limitation of funds is cutting down the effectiveness of the work. 
"The war is handicapping the inspection program (because of lack of funds)... the 
service will have to begin skimping its way in the second year of its existence." 




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MEMBERSHIP SmN&TH 


The probable and claimed membership of the UMWA proper is 500,000 miners* 
District 50 claims 200,000, but they probably have no more than 30,000 or 40,000 
members, inasmuch as District 50 does not have a single large plant under con- 

4 

tract* The real strength of the Dairy Division is unknown, and also the real 
strength of the United Construction Workers division is unknown* As presently 
constituted. District 50 is an autonomous district attached to the miners, and 
in it as units are the United Dairy Farmers and the United Construction Workers* 
With the extension of District 50 jurisdiction, District 50 may be the beginning 
of a little CIO within the UMWA* 


ADMINI STRATI C$1 

Most of Lewis* utterances before and daring the Convention, as they related 
to government agencies, were bellicose and antagonistic* Lewis denounced 
“freezing of labor in war indue tries* 1 as a blow at the rights of the American 

workers, and warned other labor leaders J1 not to travel too rapidly in the restrict 

0 

tion upon free labor in America* 11 

/ 

But Lewis also demanded, that the UMWA should "he consulted with relation to 

the economic and industrial policies of this government necessary in pursuit of 

/ 

the war" and said the Administration should "lift the blacklist, figurative or 
real, which in the minds of many people has been imposed upon UMWA by officials in 
Washington. Said lewis, "We want to cooperate." 


UMWA WAG-S POLICY 

Lewis announced immediately before the convention that wage increases will 
be demanded for 500,000 miners next April when current wage agreements expire. 





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Rising cost of living and present basic wage of $35 weekly have produced what 
Lewis called } * substantial inequalities. 11 Lewis said 75,000 miners had quit the 
pits in order to work in more remunerative war production plants. The wage 
demand will probably be $2*00 per day. However, the basic decision was referred 
to the International Policy Committee, which will not announce its demands until 
early next April. The policy committee has a free hand in formulating demands 
and those demands next spring will be shaped, naturally, according to the 

advantages and exigencies of the time. The pressure for wage increases from 

» 

various units of the UMWA is growing, and although Lewis at first ignored the 
wage question, it has now become a major issue within the UOTA. 



























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SUMMARY OF THE AFL 62ND ANNUAL C0NV5KTIQK 
5 TO 14 OCTOBER 1942 AT TORONTO. OtW!ARIO~ RAWA.HA 

SUMMARY; 

1« ARL criticised WPB as inefficient, and recommended complete central!— 

* 

zation of procurement, planning, and production control in the office of an 
Administrator of Wax Supplies. 

2# AFL asked for an over-all w Board of Military and Civilian strategy to 
decide as “between military and civilian uses, upon procurement policies### and 
similar over-all policies which concern prosecution of the war, our foreign 
and domestic policies, and the policies to he followed hy all operating agencies# 11 
AFL suggested that the hoard should include the Secretaries of War and Navy, the 
Director of Economic Stabilization, the Food Administrator, the OD(P Director, and 

i 

labor representatives as well as representatives of agriculture and management# 

3# AFL denounced and deplored appointment to important war economy posts of 
men “known to he labor*s enemies. M AFL insisted upon “greater participation hy 
organized labor in the determination and administration of policy in the various 
governmental war agencies 11 and also demanded “removal of officials obnoxious to 
the labor movement by reason of their history and performance. 11 

4. AFL was highly critical of a manpower draft, and recommended that com¬ 
plete control of manpower policy be put into the hands of one central authority# 

5-A. AFL claimed that the NLRB is M Still victimized by the prejudices of 
subordinate officials of the board” in favoring the CIO, and threatened to 









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continue to fight for a change in structure and a change in NLRB personnel 
unless the NLRB assumes a more impartial attitude. 

5~B# AFL endorsed the War Labor Board as ”0119 agency which conforms to 
the basic principle of organization which the Federation wholeheartedly approves 
—«equal representation for labor, management, and the public. 4 ' The AFL, however, 

admonished the WLB to be cautious in administrating its wage policy# 

# 

6. AFL was critical of CPA and recommended that, all rationing policy and 
administration be handled by the Director of Economic Stabilization# 

7. AFL condemned national and state sales taxes as unjust and inequitable 
•— w an unjustified burden on the low-income groups##.# n 

« 

8# AFL opposed any compulsory plan to sell war bonds, insisting that the 
present voluntary payroll deduction plan is doing the best job possible# 

9# AFL asked for increased pay for federal workers* AFL asked for unccndi** 

% 

tional repeal ” of the so-called Hatch Acts” as an unwarranted interference with 
the civil and political rights of federal employees# 

10# AFL endorsed setting up of labor-management production committees and 
urged their extension in all war industry plants* 

* 

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11. AFL called upon government to guarantee to labor, now and today_ . that 
the rights of labor suspended daring the war would be restored when armed C03>» 

flict has come to an end# 

1 

12. AFL asked that a realistic small-business policy be developed in order 
to conserve and utilize to the fullest the facilities ^mall industries, ”tae 
backbone of our American economy# n 



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13. AFL endorsed 100$ the Presidents AFL-CIO Victory Labor Committee. 
tt The results have been constructive and effective” # said the API. 

14. APL protested employment of 14 and 15 year old children as illegal 
and socially bad because of the deprivation of educational opportunities. 

15. AFL recommended that the Secretary of Agriculture be appointed Food 
Administrator for the duration. 

16. AFL seeks unity with the CIO on terms ^honorable” to both AFL and AMO. 

DETAILS 

WAR MANPOW&R COMMISSION 

AFL policy statement on the War Manpower Commission stated that 55 fundamentals 
of ovei^-all controls and material production need to be developed before manpower 
can be intelligently planned and justly directed to places of greatest usefulness 
... We urge that our representatives on the (WMC) Management^Labor Policy 

Committee refuse to recommend employment control until adequate provisions have 

♦ 

been made to assure against misuse of control over employment.” 

RATIONING 

The AFL directed that H The Administration of all rationing should be placed 
under the Director of Economic Stabilization and that representative local 
boards he set up for this purpose. 1 ' 

WAR LABOR BQARfr 

The War Labor Beard ”io one war agency which conforms to the basic principle 
of organization which the Federation wholeheartedly approved--equal representation 

for labor, management, and the public.” 







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WAS PRODUCTION BOARD 

AHi Convention stated that “persistent insistence upon right to repre- 
sentation has..*won some recognition (for labor ).*. n The AFL called for an 
over-all Ministry of Supply to centralize procurement and production planning 

» 

and urged speedy reorganization to yield board to decide over-all policy. 

AFL MEMBERSHIP AND FINANCES 

Green reported to the API membership a total Canadian-TJSA membership of 
some six millions of workers* Ee said they had 4,569,000 paidr-up members in 
1941, and 5,482,000 paid-up members in 1942. Secretary-Treasurer George Meany 
reported a bank balance of $1,267,171. During the past year, AFL spent 
$1,270,000 on organizational activities* 

WAR AGENCY PROGRAM 

The AFL made the following recommendations on re-organization of government 
war agencies;. 

1. Centralization and definite delegation of responsibility for all pro¬ 
curement to the Chairman of the WEB who shall in reality be Administrator of 
War Supplies for the Armed Forces. Centralization of procurement is necessary 
for planning contract policies, planning production and scheduling, and planning 
materials and flow of production* 

* 

2. Control over all manpower by the Chairman of the Manpower Commission 
with an end to recruitment by the Army and the Navy* 


3* That the Secretary of Agriculture be made Pood Administrator* 





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4* That all rationing be administrated by the Director of Economic 
Stabilisation. 

5. That the Director of the Small Industries Corporation be given status 

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and authority if necessary to enable him to conserve these 3mall industries 
and undertakings which are the backbone of the American economy. Under the 
centralization of procurement provided by oar first recommendations, the 
Director should have authority to allocate contracts or subcontracts to small 
companies so that their production facilities might be best utilized in the 
war effort. This agency should also participate in the concentration program 
for which controlling policies should make labor policies a fundamental con¬ 
sideration. 

The AFL also recommended in an additional resolution an 
,} ... over-all board of Military and Civilian Strategy to decide as 
military and civilian uses, upon procurement policies which affect the funda** 

4 

mental structure of our economy, and similar over—all policies which concern 
prosecution of the war, our foreign and domestic policies, and the policies to 
be followed by all operating agencies. This strategy board should be created 
by the President of the United States, with the Vice-President of the United 
States as Chairman, and should consist of key persons in the war administration 
such as the Secretary of War, the Secretary of the Navy, the Director of 
Economic Stabilization, the Pood Administrator, the Director of War Transports- 

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tion f and have as civilian members two representatives of labor, employers, and 
agriculture*® 







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HATICNA.L IABOR R5IATIONS BCAHD 


The AFL denounced the NLPJ3 having announced that it would investigate CIO 
complaints that the AFL contract with Henry Kaiser was M ccllusive u « The 3MB 
announcement was termed 11 something very close to treason. 15 The aFL also said 
that the NLRB was w sabotaging the national shipbuilding program” by giving the 
CIO complaints consideration. 

The AFL apparently signed a closed shop contract with 
Henry Kaiser at the beginning of the program, and as hundreds of 
new workers came on the job, the were automatically made members 
of the AFL f The CIO filed a complaint, holding that the contract 
was invalid because the majority of the workers had never voted 
on union affiliation. 

Insiders on the labor picture discount the CIO argument, be*- 
cause the AFL contract with Kaiser is nothing now. CIO has often 
done the same sort of thing# The real reason for the CIO complaint 
is jealousy of a huge AFL victory on the Coast. 

Incidentally, Kaiser has pointed cut that he signs up with the 
union with the most members in a given territory. He has signed up 
AFL on the West Coast, CIO on the Sast Coast. CIO is angry because 
he didnH sign up with them on both Coasts. 




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THURMAN ARNOLD 


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The AFL executive council reported that Mr, Thurman Arnold J, had conducted 
an anti-labor campaign 55 during the past several months, and summed up its feel¬ 
ings by saying that: 

w It is all too apparent that the gyrations of Mr* Thurman Arnold consti¬ 
tutes one of the most unique and most disquieting phenomena in the history of 

4 

the American Government. 11 


0FFIC2 OF PRICE ADMINISTRATION 

The AFL resolution on the OPA criticized OPA severely, claiming 51 indecision 
and lack of courage in attacking problems, M 

race discrimination 

The Sleeping Car Porters Union (Negroes) submitted a strong resolution on 
racial discrimination that would have barred from affiliation with AFL any and 
all unions which refused to accept Negroes as union members in good standing* 
Speakers on the resolution cited many instances of racial discrimination by some 
AFL affiliates* Discussion on the inter-racial issue was throttled by President 
Green when it began to get hot. 

The AFL adopted a resolution praising the racial discrimination policy of 
the President of the United States, and citing his recent executive order 
“intended to accomplish the praiseworthy elimination of racial distinction be¬ 
tween the wage earners and the citizens of the United States. 11 


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ITORNATIONAL LABOR UNITY 

The AFL rejected any ideas of affiliation with the unions of the Soviet 
Union* Heading the committee on international labor relations, Matthew Well 
said that they should reject all resolutions calling for stronger ties between 
British, American, and Soviet trade unions, Woll made it clear that the 
committee was for Anglo-American unity, but that although the AFL appreciated 
M the magnificent contribution made to the war effort by the workers of Russia 
as well as of China**, the AFL still did not believe the time was ripe for any 
American-Soviet labor unity* 


AFI*»CIO UNITY 

AFL President William Green stated: }, I can state definitely* • « that 
committees of the AFL and CIO will resume peace negotiations within the near 
future* Preliminary meetings may be held this month* 11 

Referring to the position of John L. Lewis, Green said: H The peace nego-» 
tiaticns will be carried on between the committees of the AFL and CIO* 

Mr. Lewis 5 organization is no longer affiliated with the CIO. For that reason, 
his union will not be in the peace negotiations* 11 Answering the questions of 
reporters as to whether Green wanted Lewis present at the peace meetings in an 
independent status, Green said: M Such action would widen the breach between the 
CIO and the AFL and the United Mine Workers* Any discussions involving Mr* Lewis 
should be separate* We will have enough difficulties to compose as it is when 
the AFL and CIO committees meet.” 

Commenting on peace possibilities, Green said: 11 1 am encouraged to believe 
that chances for success are brighter than they have been in the past* The 
feeling for peace among the membership of both organizations giv©3 me that 

enc ouragement * w 
























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Harry Bates, Chairman of the AFL peace negotiating committee, commented 
on John L. Lewis; 

H I do not see that Lewis* move will affect peace negotiations. I see no 
reason why we should not welcome the miners hack the same as we would welcome 
hack any other union which left us*» 


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SUMMARY OF TK3 CONUR2SS OF INDUSTRIAL ORGrANIZATICNS 
jCIO)_ _CCOTiiNTION (5TH ANNUAL) K&LD 9 TO 13 NCTOlBSa 1942 

AT BOSTON. MASSACHUSETTS 

SUMMARYs 

1* CIO leaders were unanimous in condemning the 11 confusion and un¬ 
cooperative'' 1 attitude of the War Production Board# J)ollar«*a—year men were 
attacked because they were more interested in their private interests, now and 
later, than they were in winning the war, Murray charged that Nelson and the 
WPB treated labor as an ^unwanted” partner, and pointed out that to match the 
1,000 dollar-s**year men in WPB from industry, there were only 90 labor employees 

2• The CIO recommended a single, over-all agency to have full charge of 
war supply, war manpower, and economic stabilization. It recoirmended the suggest 
tions in the recent Tolaa Committee Report and the Tolan-Pepper bills, 

3, CIO demanded full participation by labor in all war administrative 
agencies on every level, CIO officers, leaders, and delegates repeatedly said 
that labor was being "pushed out of the picture. Such leaders as Murray, 

Sidney Hillman, and Walter P, Reuther said that labor had §, no representation 11 in 
Washington* 

4, CIO was highly critical of the War Manpower Commission, It was utterly 
opposed to any drafting of manpower at this time, pointing out that the manpower 
commission hasnH yet tried to do an honest voluntary job, CIO recommended a 
single, unified command of all agencies in manpower, 

5, CIO had no basic criticism of the National Labor Relations Board, It 
also gave high approval to the National War Labor Board, urging the WLB to assume 
complete jurisdiction over all employees and all industries for all purposes. 












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The CIO suggested that industry-wide negotiations “be promoted as far as possible 
in order to relieve the congestion which is now clogging the WLB machinery* CIO 
leaders also declared that all grievances arising under current union contracts 
be subject to arbitration in order to speed up settlement and avoid congestion* 

6* CPA was severely criticized for (a) failing to do a good job on price 

control; and (b) meddling too xmicn with wage control and wage policy. The CIO 

urged at once immediate over-all rationing of basic necessities. The CIO 

demanded that more labor people be appointed in the Pent Control Section of OPA.® 

% 

7. CIO condemned the last tax law as having laid too heavy a burden on the 
poor and underprivileged, having let the corporations and estates off toe easily. 
CIO declared that the Congress had sabotaged the economic program of President 
Roosevelt. 

8. OCD was only mildly criticized, as CIO officials pointed out that labor 
is securing more representation there* 

9. CIO demanded that federal employees receive a raise and also be paid for 
overtime. 

10* CIO recommended labor management committees in government agencies to 
speed up work and eliminate unnecessary or duplicate functions. To stabilize the 

i 

economy, CIO demands that the cost of living be stabilized, that there be over-all 
rationing; that there be adopted a sound tax program; that wages be stabilized, 
biit not frozen; and called upon the National Economic stabilization Boai*d to tako 


the lead in all of this. 



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11* CIO asked WPA to raise wages paid to WPA workers, and demanded 
continuance of WPA. 

12* It approved Array and Navy Department labor policies in plants under 
their control, 

13# The President’s Victory Committee (API^CIO) was approved 100$. 

14, The chaotic maritime situation, especially on the East Coast, was 
severely criticized. CIO recommended an overfall consolidation of all 
shipping agencies and asked that labor be given representation on the policy 
board of the central agency, 

15, CIO asked President Roosevelt to intervene in the Indian situation 
and see what could be done. 

16, CIO pledged full support to agriculture and cooperation with all 
legitimate agricultural organizations, 

17, CIO condemned UMWA President John L. Lewis, but pledged fraternal 
good will to the members of his union, 

18, CIO welcomed labor unity with the APL, but said that if there were 
any unity, it would be a unity M without conjpromise or appeasement, 5 * CIO also 
called for international labor unity as soon as it can be worked out, 

A PSW NOTES ON PROMINENT CIO TRENDS 

1, The Right-wing trade-unionists in the CIO, represented by Philip Murray, 


James B. Carey, Sidney Hillman, Walter P. Reuther, and other major leaders 
definitely won full and complete control of the CIO, The Leit—wing unionists, 





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represented "by Joe Curran, Harry Bridges, Reid Robinson, and Michael Quill, lost 
power and influence in the CIO mainly because they had no issues to fight at 
this Convention* The political unionists until recently had two main issues 
within the CIO: 

i 

(A) Defeat of w red-baiting M James B* Carey 

(B) Agitation for the opening of a second front in Western Europe now * 

Carey was re-elected unanimously to his post as CIO Secretary-Treasurer. The 
second front issue was dissolved by the Horth African invasion. The Left-wing 
unionists had no issues, nothing to fight about. As a result, the leadership 
of the last CIO Convention was supplied in the majority by the Right-wing trade 
unionists who follow Philip Murray. 

2. Sidney Hillman resumed his place in CIO affairs and joined the convene 
tion in criticism of the w freezing out M of labor from the war effort in 
Washington. 

3* Organic unity with APL in the near future is hardly possible, according 
to confidential statements from CIO leaders. APL leaders say that although at 
their Toronto Convention marked friendship for CIO was evident, that the CIO 
remarks on APL were unfriendly and at times very bitter* Real and main reason 
for inability to achieve organic unity is the current row between APL and CIO on 
the APL contract with Henry Kaiser on the West Coast. APL leaders point cut that 
their agreement with Kaiser is no more collusive than the closed shop, check-off 
agreement of CIO with Henry Pord on the Willow Run Bomber Plant. They feel that 
CIO is out to start trouble, and therefore discount 100$ CIO desire for peace# 
APL leaders and CIO expect nothing to come of the peace conference as a result. 




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4, Appearance of British labor leader Bryn Roberts at the CIO convention 
was a great step toward Anglo-American labor unity* He came to the CIO convex 
tion directly from the AFL Convention* setting a precedent which will not go 
without notice* 

5* Assistant Secretary of the Havy Bard was well received by CIO when he 
spoke at their Boston Convention* Formerly a thorn in their flesh* Bard has 
won the friendship of CIO leaders* 

6* The discontent of CIO leadership with WPB and other agencies in 
Washington is growing as a result of pressure from local unions . Such men as 
R. J. Thomas, President of UAW-CIG (auto workers)* are being criticized by their 
own union membership because the boys back in the shop feel that their leader¬ 
ship is M selling them out.* 1 CIO leadership is merely passing along to 
Washington the heat and pressure now developing at a rapid rate in the war in- 
dustries over which CIO has jurisdiction* 

COMMENT 

The continual theme of private and public speeches of CIO leaders is that 
they are being frozen out of the war effort by the Republicans* by the n men who 
wrecked the country in 1929 n * and by anti-union dollar-a-year men* Such men as 
Walter P. Reuther, feel that we are not as well armed today as we might be because 
the anti-unionism of OPM and WPB leaders kept their ideas out of the picture* 

CIO leadership today faces a grave dilemma* On one hand, the CIO leadership 
took the lead in developing support of the Administration and in developing 
support for the lend lease program* conscription, and the general re-armament move* 



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Men like 2*furray, Thomas, and Reuther carried this program along in spite of 
powerful Communist opposition that, until June 22, 1941, termed the President 
a “war monger” and the war nothing hut an “imperialistic struggle for profits 
and power.” 

These men, having fought what they consider a great battle for the 
policies of the Administration, now feel that practically every key agency in 
Washington concerned with the war is dominated by their enemies, the big 
business interests. 

The only exception is the War Labor Board which, incidentally, is the only 
war agency in which labor has full co-partnership. 

Thus, CIO leadership is in the position of supporting the President 100$, 
but at the same time in condemning his Administration of the war almost 100$* 

They see as one possibility, turning out the businessmen and giving the 
entire job over to the military and naval authorities* CIO leaders have coi>* 
sidered it but, reflecting the convictions of their membership, they feel that 
military control of what should be a civilian job would cause the nation to lose 
more than it would gain by the ejection of the big businessman. 

The main theme of the CIO Convention was what do we do? The main gripe was 
WPBs the min demand was for full co-partnership of labor with government and 
management in the conduct of the war. 















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WAR PRODUCTION BOATO 

President Philip Murray, in his annual report to the 5th Annual CIO Conveiw 
tion 9 said; ”Confusion still obtains because of the conflicting agencies, the 
lack of planning, and the absence of complete administrative control over all 
phases of our production program. 11 

Again, he commented, ”the NDAG, OPM, SPAB, have each in turn failed to turn 
out production on schedule* First and foremost of the reasons for failure is that 
none of the agencies had an over-all conception of the production necessities of 
total war* There has been a complete lack of understanding of what needs to be 
done if our production is to outstrip that of the Axis powers.” 

The accomplishments of the WPB, Murray said, were as much as possible done 
within the ” framework of business-as-usual.” Murray indicated that some industries 
had held down increased production because of selfish motives* Murray also reported 
that the substance of the Truman Committee report was that labor had received 
insufficient representations in the WPB* 

Addressing the CIO Convention, Murray again charged the WPB with having failed 
to extend to labor proper representation. He asked the Convention; ”What are we 
running in Washington? A war production organization to win the war, or a war pro¬ 
duction organization to destroy labor.” 

Murray charged that although Donald Nelson had made certain promises to the 
AFL and the CIO, ” those promises have been broken, promises made that labor would 
be given more forthright representation in that (WPB) organization.” 

Walter P. Reuther, UAW-CIG Vice President, denounced the War Production Board, 
and said; 11 1 think that when the records are had, we will learn that the great, 
powerful monopolies in America who control our industrial machinery, who control 
the economic life of the nation, will be found guilty of the most deliberate sabotage 






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the efforts of this country to totally mobilize its national resources of pro* 
duction machinery. These people to-day are unwilling to accept the fact that 
business-as*usual must he put aside now, once and for all... 

Reuther said? ”Mr. Nelson is not a New Dealer and if you check the people 
who make up the War Production Board you will find for every New Dealer there 
are 200 rock ribbed reactionary Republicans. They are making the policy in 
Washington... If you check up on the American Aluminum Company, while they were 
resisting every attempt to expand aluminum production, they were flirting with 
the I. 0. Farben Industrie, the German chemical trust... These people, the 
reactionary anti-labor anti-New Deal forces in America have been controlling the 
vital agencies in Washington who were charged with the responsibility of working 
out the organization of an over*all organization on war economy in America... 

Reuther told the convention of his fight to get standardized motors in 
American tanks, explaining that General Motors, Chrysler, and Ford all have a 
different set-up# He went the rounds of the Army and finally was referred to one 
individual who,* he was told, had top authority. After he had explained his story 
Reuther said, the individual dismissed the matter by saying: 11 You donU know 
Reuther, I am a Vice-President of the General Motors Corporation.” Reuther said 
this man 1 s name was Glancey, and reported that he had just been commissioned a 
General by the army. 

Reporting on scrap drives, Reuther said that ”General Motors has to be 
bribed (by government) to get their scrap..•” 

On WPB labor representation, Reuther said: ”1 think we had better be honest 
with ourselves. We do not have any labor representation in Washington. Labor 
has been completely liquidated. We have a little bit of window dressing down 
there in spots, but it is nothing more than window dressing...” 



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34 




Reuther also charged that one of Mr. Nelson*s advisers, a Sidney Weinberg, 

H is using material put out by a notorious strike breaker, labor baiter, and 
Jew baiter in the City of Chicago, one Harry Jung... Mr. Weinberg is using 
material from this fellow* s agency in his fight inside the WPB against organized 
labor,” 

Reuther asked that H now that the dollar-a^year men have had their chance, 
now give the dollaiwan*-hour men from labor their chance.” 

Sidney Hillman, speaking on the WPB and the situation in general, saidi 
M I have been away from active work for about four or five months, I have watched 
this thing and I have had the opportunity to come back to Washington, and I would 
say to you that there is unanimity, that there is no participation by labor in the 
way that labor ought to be part of the picture. •• ,I 

Zonarich, president of the Aluminum workers union, charged that Alcoa had 
insisted on using imported aluminum ore (bauxite) of low grade rather than use 
high grade domestic bauxite* He charged that the power trust and the Aluminum 
trust had combined to keep prices and profits high* 

President Murray spoke at length after the Convention had spoken its mind, 
and key-noted CIO opinion in saying, ”a mere reshuffling of the WPB...wilX not be 
sufficient to meet the requirements of this situation.” Murray later said; *1 
tell you frankly and candidly if there is one agency in the United States of 
America that needs wholesome, constructive, intelligent reorganization, it is the 
War Production Board*** I have told Mr. Nelson repeatedly that the sooner ue 
begins to recognize the need of inviting into the war production effort the whole- 

i 

some cooperative energies of the labor movementthe better it was going to be*** 
Mr. Nel3on has done nothing about it, not a single solitary thing." 


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President John Green of the CIO Shipbuilders declared w It is about high 
time that somebody in the Administration woke up and cleaned house*.. w 

The convention unanimously- adopted a resolution on 11 total war mobilization’* 
which; 

(A) Demanded nation-wide planning and utilisation of all the material and 
manpower resources of the nation... The recommendations contained in the recent 
report of the Tolan Investigating Committee and the Tolan-Pepper bills must be 
put into effect with the utmost speed which can be done through executive action 

(B) ” Centralized planning and control can determine the apportionment of 
facilities and materials between the military- forces and our civilian needs...” 

(C) 15 •• .labor must concentrate on obtaining a wage program which will 
assure the most efficient workers for production consistent with the supply of 
consumer goods.*. Wages must be adjusted so as to guarantee to the workers that 
they will obtain the goods and services to meet their essential needs.**’ 1 

(D) ”Total mobilization cannot operate or be organized except through the 
direct and fullest participation of labor. The CIO...demands the participation 
of labor in all the administrative agencies which make and execute our war 
policies—and at every level* n 

MkNPCY/SR 

Murray’s report says of manpower that ”no consistent policy has been 
formulated for a definite and accurate apportionment of manpower between the 
military, war production, and agriculture.” 






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36 




Murray pointed cut that a manpower agency is not an emergency fire squad* 
"Intelligent consideration of manpower mobilization at this time requires no 
frenzied debate about incidentals but the formulation of a national mobilization 
plan.*. Manpower needs cannot be formulated and programmed except on the basis 
of formulation and planning of our production needs... Murray declares M if we 
have manpower chaos to-day, a job-freeze merely freezes chaos." To meet the 
situation, Murray proposes that labor, management, and government 11 join in 
bringing the functions of procurement, of industrial and manpower mobilisation, 
and organization, under a single joint control." 

In his opening speech to the CIO Convention, Murray said? "labor, under 
existing circumstances, will not agree to either universal regimentation, con¬ 
scription, or compulsion for many good. • .reasons." He s&id that CIO wanted a 
legislative investigation of the manpower resources of the United States, 
supporting the Pepper resolution. 

The CIO Convention adopted a resolution on manpower which provided that; 

(a) There be set up immediately a single, unified command which 
will consider manpower problems in the over-all picture. "We 
propose that labor, management, and the government join in 
bringing the functions of procurement of industrial and man¬ 
power mobilization and organization under a single joint con¬ 
trol." 

(b) Elimination of discriminatory hiring practices 

(c) CIO is absolutely opposed to any legislation, or the drafting 
of any legislation concerned with "the direct and drastic plans 


to draft labor and nothing more*" 







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(d.) CIO condemns those who would use the drafting of 

manpower as a lever to destroy wage and hour standards* 

(©) The CIO urges "the adoption of a national mobilization 
plan which, with full participation of all elements in 
our population, will bring about the integration of our 
war machinery* 

NATIONAL WAR LABOR BOARD 

In Murray*s report, he said: n The National War Labor Board is of tremendous 
significance as an agency in which there is equal participation of government, 
management, and labor representatives.*.the board has weathered (all) these 
tests and attacks**• The CIO has not been in agreement with (all) the decisions 
of the Board* However, the CIO has felt from the start that the war effort 
requires the services of an agency such as the Board to make determinations in 
these fields* M 

Murray also says: w The Board has been established and must be accepted as 
an effective device for the flexible adjustment and determination of wages and 
working conditions during the period of the war... ...organized labor must cox>* 
tinue to insist on the maintenance of flexibility and adjustment through an agency 
such as the WLB in which labor is assured of constant adherence to a single 
objective*—victory in the war—by virtue of the active participation of labor in 
the agency*s administration... The role played by the WLB is one of transcendent 
significance in the light of its new powers not merely to pass upon wage disputes 
but to approve or disapprove all wage adjustments through the nation, voluntary 


or otherwise.•• 



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CIO adopted a resolution on the NWLB which recognized the accomplishments 
of the WLB, and then pointing cut that (a) the NWLB must “make a forthright and 
over-all determination accepting fall jurisdiction over all employees and all 
industries for all purposes; (h) there should he sound industry-wide wage nego¬ 
tiations conducted as much as possible in order to relieve the WLB of its 
tremendous burden. H A11 contracts arising out of such industry-wide negotia^- 
tions and determinations must make provisions by their terms for adequate arbi¬ 
tration machinery so that issues thereafter arising may be disposed of for the 
duration without the necessity for burdening the Board* s machinery. 1 * Pending 
these developments, the WLB should declare (a) ^all issues arising under 
existing agreements must be disposed of by voluntary arbitration... 1 *; and (b) 
all wage adjustments granted by the WLB will be retroactive 11 to the expiration 
of the current agreement except where unusual circumstances justify an earlier 
date or in cases where there is no prior agreement, the commencement or 
negotiations. • . M 

NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD 

Murray reports; n The CIO unions have found it necessary to turn to the 
Board.•♦(mainly)•••for the conduct of elections and the certification of repre¬ 
sen tatives. 1 * 

OPFICE OP PRIOR ADMINISTRATION 

Murray reports; **It became readily apparent that the established policy of 
OPA has been and is to ration goods only where scarcities develop. The result 
has been that actual hardship has been caused by acute shortages developing in 






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essential goods before rationing orders have been issued and adequate machinery- 
set up for rationing such goods*.. The Committee (Labor Policy Committee of OPA) 
is of the opinion that rationing can and must assume a more vital role in our 
war effort than that of merely affording a means of distributing scarce goods. 
Murray also reported that the Labor Policy Committee of OPA 11 has consistently 
been of the opinion that OPA policy forces disproportionate consideration of 
wages as an inflationary factor and inadequate consideration to other factors 
such as profits, interests, rents, etc. OPA has attempted to influence wage 
policy. The Committee has been unanimous.• .in.• .its position that OPA should 
handle price control and rationing problems and have nothing to do with the 
determination of wage policy... The Committee feels...that wages have been sub¬ 
jected to undue restrictions.•.principally because they are a factor relatively 
simple to deal with and manipulate, whereas less obvious and more complex factors 
have been given little consideration... M Commenting on rent control, the Murray 
report observes: n The Committee further submits that experience in the real 
estate field is not necessarily the proper or important qualifications for a 
capable Rent Control Director.” 

TAX PROGBAM 

Murray states that H the present tax law carves out one of the most drastic 
wage cuts ever imposed on low—income groups in this nation... Over and above all 
these heavy taxes, there is a five percent so-called ^Victory Tax* 1 on all gross 
income over $624. This tax...hits hardest on those least able to pay. The tax 
bill takes away from the low-income groups money which they actually need to buy 
the bare necessities of life... Profits, bonuses, and high salaries are not taxed 

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to the degree that they should he... !Phe economic program of President Roosevelt 
is at the heart of the war effort. It is now being sabotaged." 


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OFFICE OF CIVILIAN DEFENSE 


Murray reports that n in spite of the position taken by the CCD national 
office, labor has not been markedly successful in achieving representation on 
defense councils* Labor representation on civilian defense councils is doubly 
important because these agencies hold virtual power of nomination of labor 
representatives to the price and rationing boards. M Murray points out however, 
that tile CCD picture is improving. 

9 

FEDERAL EMPLOYEES 

CIO recommends, by resolution, that an administrator of Federal Personnel 
be established with an advisory labor-management committee aiding him. CIO also 
recommends establishment of labornaanagement production committees in government 
agencies. CIO insists on ^passage of overtime pay legislation for Federal 
workers sponsored by the President and now pending before Congress and wage in¬ 
creases in the basic salaries of Federal workers to meet the high increase in 
the cost of living. 11 


NATIONAL ECONOMIC STABILIZATION 

The CIO resolution on national economic stabilization declares that 

(a) The cost of living must be stabilized. w The Price Administrator 
must adjust and maintain the prices of goods or commodities at a level low enough 
to stabilize the cost of living and to bring and keep the necessities of life 

within the reach of all our people* H 

(b) Overall rationing of foods and other necessities. 





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(c) Adoption of a new and sound tax program which will protect the 
low-income groups, increase gift and corporate taxes. 

(d) Wages "should continue to be stabilized, but not frozen... 

Wage adjustments must continue to be made to eliminate substandard conditions 
and all outstanding inequalities and discriminatory practices..." 

(e) !37he CIO called upon the National Economic Stabilization Board to 
"initiate policies which will immediately carry into effect this economic 
stabilization." 

LABCE-MAiqQ-EEilNT PRODUCTION CQMMI!TfflES 

CIO unanimously passed a resolution on laboivmanagement production 
committees which stated in essence: 

"!£he CIO and its affiliated unions shall immediately seek to have organ¬ 
ized a labor-management production committee in each war plant throughout the 
nation. We call upon the War Production Board and the responsible government 
officials to really give effective support to this program and compel employers, 
when necessary, to participate and cooperate in the formulation of such labor- 
management-production committees. Labor unions should insist upon the incor¬ 
poration in collective bargaining agreements of provisions calling for such 
committees. M 

' W. P. A. 

CIO resolved that WPA workers should receive wage increases "to enable 
them to meet the increased cost in living," and the CIO also resolved that it 
"go definitely on the record as being utterly and unalterably opposed to the 


proposed abolition of the WPA." 





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ARMY AMD NAVY DEPARTMENT LABOR POLICY 


Murray expressed the opinion that in plants under Navy or Army jurisdiction 
that the joint labor policy adopted and administered 11 is a great step forward 
for organized labor” because it provides for (a) no discrimination (b) collective 
bargaining is recognized. 

A convention resolution directed that in cases involving sabotage and 
espionage in plants, that the Secretary of War and the Secretary of the ITavy 
establish fair procedure for the determination of innocence or guilt of workers 
involved, adding that such procedures should include a review of the charges by 
a board including union representatives. 

MARITIME SITUATION 

Murray comments on this situation by saying, ”1*011 use of available shipping 
involve substantial increases in efficiency in loading and unloading. Recognizing 

this basic fact, the CIO Longshoremen’s and Warehousemen’s Union some time ago 
proposed and put into operation a joint-laborwm&nagement shipping board, with 
government leadership, which has greatly speeded ship turn-around on the West 
Coast. An extension of this effective work is greatly needed on other coasts, in 
order to increase the flow of war supplies to other overseas fronts.” 

The CIO Convention conanittee on shipping reported that 

(a) Shipping is still ”being used to transport such cargoes as wines, 

champagne, and brandies...” 

(b) That ”for lack of organization of labor supply, ships lie idle 
alongside our docks waiting to load planes, etc., yet thousands of trained, 

competent longshoremen stand idle at other docks in the same ports...” 





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(c) Ships lie idle while men to repair them are also idle for 11 hours 
and days**. 

(d) Bad loading causes some ships to return to shore for re-loading. 

(e) w Ships are returning empty to American ports from the very ports 
where vital and essential war materials are lying on th 9 docks waiting for 
shipment,.. 11 

(f) 11 In many foreign ports, our ships lie idle for weeks waiting to he 
unloaded because no provision has been made for speedy cargo handling in these 
ports... 11 and finally 

(g) The following shipping agencies are working H at cross purposes, in 
a chaotic attempt to operate all or part of our merchant marine? U. S. Maritime 
Commission, War Shipping Administration, TJ. S. Army Transport Service, Board of 
Economic Warfare, War Production Board, Lend Lease Administration, U. S. Navy, 

U. S. Coast Guard, and TJ. S. Department of Commerce. n 

The CIO Convention unanimously adopted a program urging? 

1. Consolidation of the functions of ”all federal agencies entrusted 

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with operation and regulation of shipping facilities, under one federal agency 
with full authority to control every phase of the United States shipping industry. 

2. ** This central agency shall have full control over all merchant 
shipping, including cargo handling, manning, and maintenance and repair.** 

3. Pooling of all shipping facilities; provision for efficient and 

speedy dispatch of labor. 

4. Central agency to provide trained, experienced personnel u for use in 
those supply ports abroad where bottlenecks and delays now exist.'* 

5. 11 Labor shall be given adequate representation on the policy making 

body of this central agency." 








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INDIA 


The CIO asks the intervention of President Roosevelt in seeking a solution 
to the Indian problem giving the Indian people as much freedom as possible as 
speedily as possible. 

LABOR AND AGRICULTURE 

The CIO resolved that the problems of w agricultural production and manpower 
mobilization must be recognized as a vital aspect of our nation-wide integrated 
mobilization. .. 11 The CIO condemned John L. Lewis and the efforts of District 50 
to organize farmers of any type or variety. The CIO pledged cooperative action 
with n the working farmers of America and their bona fide organizations. M 

TJ. M. W. A. 

CIO condemned John L. Lewis, President of the United Mine Workers of America 
but e 3 Q?ressed 11 continued fraternal good will” for everyone else in the organize 
tion whose President it condemned. 


LABOR UNITY 

♦ 

Murray reports to the CIO: w Because of the pressure of other problems, the 
CIO and APL committee have not been able to meet. It is anticipated that this 
will occur at an early date following the CIO convention. H 

He addes: »The CIO recognizes the imperative need for unity... To be an 
effective blow for Victory, labor unity must not sacrifice any of the gains made 
through organization by either CIO or A3TL unions. 11 










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At the opening of the Convention, Murray declared: 11 My prime interest lies 
in the attainment of a unity, a real unity, and not a policy of appeasement. •• 

The fundamental thing to which we adhere and in which we believe and which caused 
the creation of this organization must necessarily be recognized. •. any kind of 
unity must necessarily comprehend complete abolition of all forms of racial dis¬ 
crimination. 11 

The Convention resolution on unity declared that 4 unity requires the main-* 
tenance and extension of the gains that the CIO has won for the workers through 
industrial organization... Unity need not wait on the solution of jurisdictional 
disputes... Nothing shall be permitted to weaken or destroy the present working 
unity that we have achieved on all measures necessary to wage an offensive war 
against our enemies... 4 


INTBRNATIGNAL LABOR UNITY 

After condemning the AFL attempt at its own M liaison arrangement* 1 with the 
British labor movement, the Convention directed 11 that the CIO continue to take all 
necessary steps to establish international labor cooperation with direct partici¬ 
pation by the British and Soviet unions, the AFL, the CIO, and Railway labor; and 
the unions of the other United Nations, including our Latin American allies 4 and 
also recommended that pending that move there be arranged 4 an exchange of informa¬ 
tion with such trade union bodies of the United Nations 4 as exist now with regard 
to production n and all other activities which would strengthen our common war 


effort... 4 



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AREAS OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN TK£ ARL 
ALT) CIO AS DETERMINED RROH TE5IR 

1942 convention statements-- 

ANALYSIS! 

1* WAR PRODUCTION BOARD was denounced by ARL as inefficient with ARL 
recommending complete centralization of procurement, planning, and production* 
CIO also criticized WFB as inefficient hut with emphasis on its ^anti-labor** 
complexion* 

2. OV&R-ALL PLANNING FOR WAR CONTROL was demanded by both ARL and CIO* 

ARL wanted a Ministry of Supply with an over-all Board of Military and Civilian 
strategy* CIO suggestions ran along the same lines* 

3* LABOR*S PART IN GOVERNMENT: Both organizations demanded greater 
decision-making power for labor, although 010*8 demands were more inclusive 
than those of ARL. 

4* WAR MANPOWER was attacked by ARL because of its lack of authority and 
decision. CIO concurred in the criticism* Both recommended reorganization. 

5* NATIONAL WAR LABOR BOARD received the unqualified endorsement of both 
ARL and CIO* 

6. OFFICE OF PRIGS ADMINISTRATION was criticized strongly by both ARL 
and CIO. ARL directed that over-all rationing be turned over to Director of 
Economic Stabilization. CIO attacked OPA for "undue" meddling with wage policy 
and for failing to do "a good joh" on price control. 

























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?♦ TAXATION: The last tax 1)111 was attacked by both organizations* AFL 
condemned sales taxes* 

8* FEDERAL EMPLOffiSSs Both AFL and CIO demanded that Federal employees 
(a) get a raise (b) get overtime. 

9. THE LABOR VICTORY COMMITTEE was endorsed by both AFL and CIO. 

10» LABOR UNITY: CIO welcomed labor unity with AFL but M without compromise 
or appeasement.” AFL sought unity with the CIO on M honorable” terms. 

11. U&OT^Wmmmr PRODUCTION COMMITTEES were endorsed heartily by both 
AFL and CIO, who also both called for their extension. 


AREAS OF DISAGREEMENT 


THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD was approved by CIO, attacked by AFL on 
grounds of a partisan (CIO) bias. 


AREAS OF CONTRARIETY 


Mk 


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Food Administrator 


Office of Civilian Defense 


Small Business Policy 


National Economic Stabilization Board 


Child Employment 


WPA Wages 


Restoration of Labor’s Rights 


Army-Navy Labor Policies 


Voluntary Pay-roll Deductions 
International Labor Unity 


East Coast Maritime Situation 


India 


Agricultural Organizations 


United Mine Workers 







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SOURCES^ 

Conversations with UMWA officials (2). 

Conversation with UMWA official now a CIO official. 

New York Times - October 6 to 10, and October 13 to 15, 1942* 

PM- October 6 to 10, and October 13 to 15, 1942. 

UMWA Convention Proceedings, 37th Constitutional Convention. 

UMWA Officers 1 Report, dated October 6, 1942. 

Discussion with CIO officers. 

New York Times, October 10 to 14, 1942. 

Newspaper P M, October 10 to 14, 1942* 

Report of Philip Murray to 5th Annual CIO Convention. 

Daily Proceedings of the 5th Annual CIO Convention. 

Conversations with APL officials. 

MW YORK TIMS, October 6 to 15, 1942 
P M, October 6 to 15, 1942. 

Report of the APL Executive Council to the 62nd Annual APL Convention 
Daily Proceedings of the 62nd Annual APL Convention, Toronto, Canada 



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- 49 


1 


SUMMARY 0? TRS 


PRODUCTION CONFERENCE 


AMKRTCAW MANA&BMENT 

IN NSW YORK CITY 10 


gsocmicN 

~ 11 NOVEMBER. 1942 


SUMMARY: • 

The AMA, the largest industrial organization concerned primarily with 
management matters, has been operating since 1923, and at the present time has 
a staff of about 25 workers and claims 4,000 active members. Its dominant mem¬ 
bers are executives of the larger companies. 

11 The American Management Association is composed of 
industrial and commercial companies and executives 
interested in modern and efficient management methods 
for their own organizations. Because its membership 
includes almost every type of industry, the Associa* 
tion makes possible, by conferences, publications, and 
information and research service, a broad interchange 
of management information and experiences. The AKA 
makes no profit, does no lobbying, and advances no 
propaganda. Its interests are solely the practical 
solution of current business problems and the development 
of the science of management. 51 

At the AMk Conference on Production, November 10-11, in New York City, a 
number of other associations interested in industrial or employee relations 
participated. Chief among these cooperating groups were* 

Associated Industries of Cleveland 
Cleveland Chamber of Commerce 
Employers Association of Chicago 
Employers Association ol Detroit 














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Manufacturers Association of Connecticut, Inc. 

Packaging Institute, Inc* 

Pittsburgh Convention and (Tourist Bureau, Inc* 

(Three sessions at this Conference are of particular interest to the OWI 
because they were panel discussions about the problems of ”Women in the factory, 11 
“Absenteeism,” and “(The Negro Worker”. Members of the panels, representing 
many industries, frankly discussed various phases of the problems concerned* No 
official viewpoint was stated but members advised me informally that general 
agreement was reached in pre-conference discussions. For this reason the view¬ 
points stated, particularly in those instances where frankness was evident, may 
be considered the viewpoints of the majority of the industrial managers present. 
It should be remembered, however, that these are not necessarily the viewpoints 
of industrial leaders but of the industrial relations and other executives 
working for them . 

Conference was opened by Balph C. Morrow, Editor, factory Management and 
Maintenance”, and the Vice-President of the AMA in charge of the Production Di¬ 
vision. He reviewed the progress of the American productive machine since the 
advent of the war economy and charted the problems which industrial managers must 
face if they are to achieve the output of war materials essential to victory. 
Morrow expressed the opinion that the total conscription of all manpower, which 
is opposed by CIO and AFL, is the immediate need if full production is to be 
attained* Morrow further suggested that industry needs; 





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**• A longer work week to bring up our average froci around 
40 nours per week* In Britain, he stated, the average 
work week is about 56 hours* 

2* More workers in industry* A nation-wide survey of woman 
power and use of this available power is a real need* 

3* More production per worker* Morrow suggested that hoarding- 
of-iabor comments conflict with the need for building up 
labor forces in anticipation of increased production needs, 

his implication being that such planning is justified# 

* 

4* Greater production per machine through the use of better 
planning methods and better machinery* 

5* Legislation to make all strikes illegal* 

The luncheon address, November 11, on The Future of the War Production Drive, 
was given by W* £• Marshall, Chairman, War Production Drive Policy Committee, and 
Vice-President, Industrial Relations, Westinghouse Electric Manufacturing Company, 
Inc*, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He reviewed the functions and activities of the 
Labor-Management Committee, observed that these committees were the outgrowth of a 
long term trend stimulated by war requirements, and expressed the opinion that both 
Labor and Management would profit if these Committees were carried over into peace** 
time production activities. 

11 The fundamental underlying principle of the War Production 
Drive is that Labor-Management Committee work goes to the 

very heart of labor-management cooperation. In my judgment 





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the movement will live long after this emergency and on 
through prosperous and depression years in varying degrees 
of operation, from possible failure to certain success as 
economic conditions influence it*.*The Labor-Management 
movement (was) hastened, perhaps, but certainly stimulated, 
by war requirements. If it were not for the war, it no 
doubt would have received ia^petus from the next boom period*.• 

I think the danger lies in the lack of understanding the 
recognized functions as between collective bargaining and the 
intended work of the Labor-Management Committee movement* 

The former has to do with wages, hours and working conditions; 
the latter with ways and means for immediate increased produc¬ 
tion... 

Why not face the issues and fully recognise that collective 
bargaining is naturally on a competitive basis, each side 
initially influenced by divergent viewpoints? This does not, 
however, need develop loss of temper, loss of regard for the 
ability of Management and the skill of the workmen, nor develop 
a mutual lasting ill feeling. On the other hand, Xabor-Manage~ 

m ftnt Committees aim at greater production by developing new 

♦ 

methods, reduction in costs, increase of efficiency, labor 
morale, accident prevention, care of tools, adequate employee 
transportation, rubber conservation, and conservation of health 
by curtailing absenteeism, labor turnover, careless use of 
power, defective workmanship, bottlenecks and the encouragement 


of suggestions from all quarters*•• 

















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These committees provide an avenue for the free flow 
of ideas that are certain to prove helpful. It is their 
function to consider, recommend, advise and act together 
on such items as they may agree will increase and improve 
production. If this impetus can he carried into peace¬ 
time production activities after the war, hoth Labor and 
Management will benefit immeasurably. Generally speaking, 
it can be said that monthly reports received from 
committees are indicating growing enthusiasm and greater 
progress. As to the future of the War Production Drive 
Labor**£ianagement Committee movement we can say to ourselves, 
both Labor and Management, we will get from our efforts 
only in relation to what we put into them. H 

WOMEN IN THE FACTORY 

(A Panel Session) 

Chairman; Samuel L. H. Burk, Chief Job Analyst, Job Analysis Department, The 

Atlantic Refining Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

MARY ANDERSON, Director, Women’s Bureau, U* S. Department of Labor, 

Washington, D. C. 

ESTHER R. BECKER, Staff Assistant, New Jersey District, Training Within Industry, 

War Manpower Commission, Newark, New Jersey* 

ELLEN M. DAVIES, Personnel Manager, Waterbury Manufacturing Company Plant, 

Chase Brass & Copper Company, Waterbury, Connecticut. 

DAVID MACK, Employment Manager, Wright Aeronautical Corporation, Paterson, New Jersey. 

JAMES M. TALBOT, Vice President, The S. S. White Dental Manufacturing Company, 

Staten Island, New York. 


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In a survey among production managers made prior to the Convention, it 
was, found that the subject of women in the factory outranked all others. The 
problems arising from the employment of women in the plant are numerous and 
baffling. At the Panel Session, all representatives favored the use of more 
women and generally took the viewpoint of Mr. Talbot who said, "What we are 
actually doing is hiring small men, who can do work commensurate with their 

height and weight. They are more amenable, more willing, and are less apt to 
seek other jobs." 

j I 

Eke chief handicaps of women in industrial work ares 

1* They are smaller, lighter, weaker, and fatigue more easily, 

2* (They lack experience and need longer training and 
adjustment periods, 

3, Many changes in working conditions are necessary when women 
are used* 

4, Their skin is weaker, which results in certain difficulties 
when tools are handled* 


5* Night work creates sleeping problems for the family and 
sometimes transportation problems* 

6. Women have special problems of menstruation, pregnancy and 
nursing which may result in greater absenteeism* 

7. Their pulse and respiration methods are different from those 
of men, sometimes resulting in need for changes in working 
conditions. 


The panelees gave little weight to criticisms of clothing, time wastage through 


talking, and moral problems. 

Miss Davies in her discussion suggested that of the possible groups of 


women from whom the selection of war workers can be made (single, young married, 
women over forty, handicapped, and colored) colored women have been least used 
in the past and now provide the best source of women power. She argued that they 





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are more dependable, more consistently on the job, seldom late, more willing, 
aad usually more loyal than whites* Furthermore, they are often H good bargains 11 
because they have had longer pre-work training than whites applying for the 
same position* 

Mr* Mack drew attention to th8 need for an understanding of the surprising 
apathy on the part of women to apply for factory work. He reviewed a survey of 

the resistance of women in New Jersey to factory work. This survey, which was 

* 

conducted privately by the Houser Associates of New York City, consisted of 25 
questions asked of a sampling of 1,000 women* The results were an indictment of 
the existing employment practices and suggested numerous changes which must be 
made* 

1* Practically no women felt that the present situation is urgent* 

The majority professed a willingness to assist when needed but 
recognized no crying need at the present time. 

2* One reason for the general apathy on the part of women was their 
failure to understand classified advertisements and their dissatis¬ 
faction with the handling of applications in employment offices. 

The survey showed that women are not accustomed to fighting for 
jobs and are not, as men, used to being pushed around by prospec¬ 
tive employers* They easily become discouraged and tend to con¬ 
clude that their services are not badly needed. Consequently, em¬ 
ployment procedures must be revised to meet the present situation. 
Women must be invited in for an interview, must be treated with 
special courtesies; women doctors should be used in employment 








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services* Sometimes job specifications must be changed to 
adjust to the new situations and mechanical aptitude and 
comprehension test3, which are not accurate in classifying 
women due to differences in the backgrounds of men and 
women, must be revised so women will be less aware of their 
inexperience and inaptitude. Application blanks should 
also be changed for these reasons* Public relations articles 
and feature stories should be used to interest women in 
factory employment. 


3* Women generally know nothing about the types of jobs offered 
and about the working conditions they may expect* Often they 
haven*t the vaguest idea of what is expected of them if they 
take a factory job. The need for an educational program is 
very great* 


4. There is at present, little or no social pressure on women to 
take jobs. The loss of prestige on the part of girls who go 
back to work after being married helps to keep many of them 
out of industry* 

5. Child ocare problem is real and the solution to it must be 
offered before requesting women to leave their homes* It is 
vital that this nursery school idea be sold as an educational 
institution so the public is not permitted to consider it a 
substitute nursery ”where poor mothers can pack their brats* M 






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6* Women have greater difficulty than men in adjusting to 
factory work so consideration should he given to the 
problem of introducing women to their war jobs. Older 
women should be used whenever possible to aid in this 
adjustment. 

One question which received considerable attention was that of wage 
differences between men and women. Opinions differed widely on this matter but 
a large number of questions by members present e&ressed the opinion that women 
should not be paid as much as men because the employer suffers added costs when 
women are employed. It was suggested that jobs which are clearly ^women jobs 11 
will be created during the war and that women can be expected to remain in industry 
for a long time, and this suggestion seemed to be coupled with the idea that 
women should therefore be paid lower wages. Strong arguments were made for and 
against this proposal* 

THE PROBLEM OP ABSENTEEISM 
(A Panel Session) 

Chairman; Ivan L. Willis, Director of Industrial Relations, Ourtiss-Wright 
Corporation, New York, New York* 

A. T. COURT, Labor Economics Section, General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Michigan. 

4 

G. G. MITCHELL, Assistant Manager of Service, Remington Arms Company, Inc., 
Bridgeport, Connecticut. 

PRANCES M. SMITH, Personnel Manager, Murray Manufacturing Corporation, Brooklyn, 

New York. 

C. SPENCER PHILLIPS, Personnel Manager, Revere Copper and Brass Incorporated, 

Rome, New York. 

CHARLES A. WOOD, Director of Industrial Relations, E. R. Squibb & Sons, Brooklyn, 
New York. 








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Problem of absenteeism is a sizeable problem in virtually every war plant 
in the country and is in some plants assuming formidable proportions. It looms 
as an increasingly great retardation of the nation’s production effort. A most 
trying factor in connection with the problem of absenteeism derives from the * 
fact that there exists so small a body of information on its causes, and even 
less specific information on measures to correct it. 

Mr. Court of the General Motors Corporation drew the attention of the members 
to the fact that in his company absentees, particularly short term lay-offs, have 

i % 

doubled within the past year and that the peaks of this absenteeism have occurred 
on festive week-ends. He observed that there is no relation between the hours 
worked per week and absenteeism, unless a seven-day week is in effect, and cited 
company studies to show that such great increases occur if a seven-day week is in 
effect that a 40$ loss of the extra day results* 

Mr, Court took the opportunity to put in a plug for a longer work week. He 
argued that tne idea of a 48-hour week is a fallacy and that a longer 6-day week 
is more productive. 

Chief causes of absenteeism, as reported by panelees, ares 

1. Low morale of workers. Miss Smith presented the viewpoint that 
a prime cause of absenteeism is general low morale on the part 
of the working public. She said, "The general public does not 
yet recognize the urgency of the winning of the war. This is 
basic. You can’t expect war workers to adjust themselves to the 
abstract idea of a war going on 3,000 miles away...British manage¬ 
ment have found that workers are now far less aware of the urgency 
of the fight than they were &t the time of the bombing of England." 






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2. Either wages* Employees are now getting higher wages and 
wish more time to spend this added income* 

3* More women in industry who have homes, families, and personal 
problems which need attention* Among the chief reasons given 
by women for absence from work are: fatigue, due to overwork, 
overplay, or double jobs; the drafting of boy friends or 
husbands; shopping needs because stores are closed after work 
hours; boredom and the need to break the tension of work to 
which they are not accustomed. 

4* New employees who are experiencing work for the first time are 
often less conscientious than those who have always had to work. 

5. Foremen are less associated with their workers today than 

formerly because jobs have changed, shifts have increased, and 
many new workers are on the job* 

6* Poor housing and transportation conditions in some areas* 

Suggestions made for the control of absenteeism: 

1* Have absentee interview personnel manager on his return to dis¬ 
cuss the reasons and effects of his absence* 

2. Have absentee report to a joint committee of management and union 
representatives on his return. This is extremely effective* 

3. Send out personnel representatives to interview the absentee off the 

job. 

4. Call the absentee on the telephone, if he has one. 







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5* the absentee a telegram. This is often very effective 

because workers who do not have telephones are often those 
who have never received a telegram before* 

6. Make medical check-ups of habitual absentees. 

Keep department charts and create competition between departments. 
8. Pep talks •• are usually ineffective. 

i * 

Penalties for absenteeism, such as layoffs, are dangerous because employees 
are apt to conclude that their work is not very important if the company can 
afford to lay them off. 3Qxtra pay or prizes for attendance sets up an unwise 
precedent because employees get into the habit of considering this pay an extra 
raise and become disgruntled if it is taken away. 

Steps necessary to prevent absenteeism: 

1. Income control. The removal of durable goods from the market, 
limitations on installment buying, and the increase in bond 
purchases are all helping to cut down absenteeism; greater 
publicity given to the size of the present tax load and the 
need for saving to meet it will cut absenteeism further; 
legislation for the current payment of taxes will definitely 
help. There was considerable disagreement over the extent 
to which the government should step in on the problem of high 
incomes of workers. Miss Smith stated that the question to 
be considered is, “Do we want to set up a control over the way 
workers spend their money? 15 

















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2. Day nurseries* It was agreed that day nurseries must he 
established hut the panelees were uncertain as to how 
these nurseries should he set up. Miss Smith suggested 
that government aid in the establishment of such nurseries 
would he desired; others, however, felt that the large 
plants should take over the problem and that community 
action should he stimulated. 


3. Unions should he stimulated to cooperate on the absentee 
problem. When unions have been called in to assist, the 
effect has been very favorable# 

4# Changes in plants create better working conditions, better 
lighting and heating, machinery easier to handle, etc., 
definitely help to curb absenteeism. 

5. Better shopping facilities should be created* 

6# Preventives against common colds should be used# 

7. Fines for absenteeism were suggested by Mr# Wood who called 
attention to the fact that the British courts now fine 
employees for illegal absence# 

8# Job freezing. Mr. Wood said, ”We are now investigating to 

find out just how soon we will have job freezing# Job freezing 
is inevitable.” He and others express the opinion that the 
government should tighten up on its manpower control so workers 

cannot leave one job for another. The y agreed, however, that 


the solution to absenteeism does not lie in job freezing because 
it is not related to the problem of temporary layoffs* 


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THE NEGRO worker 

LTui§ yaBQ .3i - Saaaifi iLw a s fae JLjLj&ffe^ 

Chairman; ALVIN S. DODD, President, American Management Association. 

E LL EN M. LEVIES, Personnel Manager, Waterbury Manufacturing Co. Plant, Chase Brass & 
Copper Company, Waterbury, Connecticut. 

L. KENNETH MAYiB, comptroller, Manufacturers Machine and Tool Company, Inc., 

New York, New York. 

WILLIAM D. PLUMB, Vice President and Purchasing Agent, Fayette R. Plumb, Inc., 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

FLOYD B. SHANNON, Chief of Employment Division, Western Electric Company, Kearny, 

New Jersey. 

ALBERT F. SNYDER, Personnel Superintendent, Winchester Repeating Arms Company, 
Division of Western Cartridge Conpany, New Haven, Connecticut. 

IVAN L. WILLIS, Director of Industrial Relations, Curtiss-Wright Corporation, 

New York, New York. 

The Panelees generally agreed that Negro workers can successfully be employed 
in industry. Those present were generally of the opinion that when Negroes are 
employed they are more conscientious than whites and were usually more consistently 
on the job. Days through illness, transfers, and quits among Negro workers are 
also relatively low although after pay-day absenteeism was sometimes high. It was 
agreed that new employees of this group tended to be better trained than whites 
applying for the same job, probably because only outstanding members of the Negro 
group obtained employment. It was emphasized that loyalty among Negro workers is 
very high, that "they didn»t forget their loyalty during the NBA.” 

Although panelees affirmed that executives were primarily concerned with pr$- 
duction and entertained few prejudices on the Negro problem, a strong undercurrent 
of anti-Negro sentiment was noted in some of their statements and in the comments 
other members present at the meeting. Tnis sentiment was suggested in the use 


















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of emotionally toned incidents on the part of one speaker, by the lack of 
t rankness on the part of others, and by statements casting doubt on the morals 
or intelligence of members of the Negro group* Farther evidence of this ix>-» 
tolerant feeling were contained in comments to the effect that Negroes, by 
reason of their color, are not qualified for supervisory positions* 

!Ehe matter of segregation of whites and Negroes as argued pro and con* 

Mr* Shannon and Mr, Snyder recommended no segregation at any time; Mr* Plumb 

contended that rest rooms should be separated H so the colored women won*t feel 

* 

uncomfortable;” Mr. Willis stated that this policy was to follow the tradition 
of the community* He then went on to say that in two plants where segregation 
was employed Negroes turned out more production and did just as good work as 
whites whereas absentees were fewer and the turnover less whereas in those plants 
where both groups were mixed no change in production occurred. In these latter 
instances he said 15 there was some cases of criticism, ostracism, and the use of 
the silent treatment on Negroes who produce too much.” 

It is suggested by one of the panelees that the venereal disease rates among 
Negroes in some parts of the country are so high that their employment becomes a 
special problem. A member from the floor objected strongly to this panel conclu¬ 
sion and said that he felt that much of the difference was due to discrimination 
in the handling of physical examinations. No one present was able to present any 
final statistics which would throw light on this problem and most concurred in 
the feeling that the rate is higher, particularly in Southern areas* 

The attitudes and activities of social reformers, white workers, and labor 
unions were given as the prime barriers to the greater employment of Negroes. It 
was argued that this is not time for social reform and that many welfare workers 



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axe oeiag unwise in arguing for reform at this time# One speaker stated that 
APL policy toward Negroes was noncommittal and actually discriminatory whereas 
the CIO was silent on the subject when support did not serve some organizational 
purpose but never opposed to Negro employment# A strong statement of management 
policy, issued by the top executive in the plant, was considered the best 
approach when Negroes axe introduced into a factory# 

The feeling of the speakers on the Negro problem is illustrated by the 
following examples of comments: 

i % 

Miss Davies made a very realistic statement for the greater 
employment of Negroes, particularly Negro women# She said that 
some of the colored girls employed were outstanding because they 
had taken more time for pre-employment training than white girls# 

All Negroes employed by her with the exception of three, have 
proved very satisfactory# H We have had to fire only three of the 
Negroes working for us so far# Two of these* their absenteeism 
and poor work# The other had an emotional outburst for no good 
reason and drew a knife# H w Tiie chief problem,* 5 she said, n is 
based on jealousy and envy# Some whites object to the Negroes 
because they are unwilling to listen to the *slowi-up or else 1 
orders of the older white workers# H Miss Davies was of the opinion 
that when colored workers are introduced a distinct change in 
management policy must be made, recognized, and stated# Miss Davies 
was one that felt the social reformer attitude is causing con¬ 
siderable difficulty# She reported that when the first Negroes were 
employed in one plant a local settlement house welfare worker gave a 















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banquet for taese Negroes and received considerable publicity# In consequence 
not one white woman applied for work iq the following ten day period* 

Mr* Mayer was overly emphatic in stating that no discrimination what so-* 
ever occurred in his plants* w We are not interested in the color of mankind, 11 
he said, H we buy manpower by the hour**,we are truly color blind* We only ask 
the prospective employee if he*s a good American citizen and if he has the 
aptitude* We find that men of the same social and economic backgrounds turn 
out to be about the same type of workers, regardless of color or religion** 

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The Negro is equal in production if his background is the same as other workers.” 
This same speaker, when questioned about the number of Negroes operating in this 
plant, their relative employment in absentee records, etc*, as compared with those 
of white workers, stated H we don*t keep any distinct records on anything like 
that* 11 He then again emphasized that socio-economic background was the most 
important classifying criterion* Several members present made informal comments 
to me to the effect that Mr* Mayer was not frank in his discussion, that he was 
11 ducking the questions* 11 In their opinion the 11 socio-economic background” 
criterion referred to eliminates most Negroes. Mr. Mayer also stated with strong 
feeling, ” Management alone seems to be charged with the lacn of employment of 
Negro labor. Much of the prejudice actually grows from the unwillingness of 
white labor to work with Negroes.” 

Mr. Plumb reported that Negroes were taken into his plant during the last 
war over the opposition of officials who argued that riots would result. The 
experiment proved very successful and today 20 percent of the workers are Negroes 
employed in yard crews, doing general trucking, janitor work, and working in the 
forge shop and assembly line. He commented, and his remarks passed uncontested, 

”We all know the Negroes* IQ, is not very high. * * they are like children.. .you have 








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to keep your eye on them because they backslide and tell lies...but don*t 
forget their loyalty is very high. During the NEA period, Negroes didn f t for¬ 
ge v their loyalty, they were not members of outside organizations and didn*t 
strike. w 

Mr. Willis emphasized the opinion of the group that the soundest approach 

to the Negro problem is “avoid social reform aspects. 31 He said *1 think you 

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will find that even Negro leaders will agree that it is unwise to emphasize these 
reform aspects. 11 

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Willis presented the viewpoint, and was uncontested, that working men did 
not object to the employment of Negroes and no difficulties occurred in shop in 
which there was not marked union activity but trouble was certain to occur where 
organization campaigns were in progress. He stated that the AFL policy was non* 
commital and 11 actually against the use of Negroes. Jven today they give the 
problem the silent treatment and fail to cooperate. H The CIO, on the other hand, 

“will be active in the support of the employment of Negroes if it serves some 

useful organization purpose. If not, they too give the problem the silent treat¬ 
ment but I know of no opposition to the employment of Negroe3 by CIO representatives 

Mr. Shannon discussing the matter of upgrading Negroes expressed the view- 
point that since supervisors must he well adjusted individuals, and Negroes, 
because of their color, could not he well adjusted, they should not he put in 
supervisory positions. He insisted that this was a personal viewpoint and might 
differ from his company's policy. Other panelees said they had not faced this 
problem yet, indicating, of course, that the number of Negroes in supervisory posi¬ 
tions is very low, even among those who favor Negro employment in factories. 










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